Here is a more detailed discussion of project #2, the Globalization White Paper Project.

jump to: proposal guidelines | progress report guidelines | white paper guidelines | project assessment prompt Qs

Overview: which project is this one?
Choose a topic related to globalization, propose it to Suzanne, research it, and create a white paper (or informative report) that describes your findings. Finally, prepare a presentation for the class. You may work individually or in pairs.

1. Choose a topic and, if you wish, a partner.
2. Write me a brief (1-2 pg) proposal describing your topic and your preliminary research
3. Write me a progress report.
4. Write a white paper (or informative report) and upload it to the web.
5. Prepare and give a presentation.
6. Finally, you will assess your experience in a "Project Assessment Memo."

Generic Tasklist & Timeline: what's due when?
Proposal: Friday, 2/8 
Progress Report (rough draft): Fri, 2/15
White paper (rough draft):Mon, 3/3
Presentation Outline: Fri, 3/7 or Mon 3/17
Actual Presentations: Week of 3/17 
Entire project for copy-editing & proof-reading: Mon, 3/24
Finished project: Wed, 3/26

Notice that we'll again be doing two rounds of peer-review: the initial proposal, progress report, and white paper workshops will focus on higher-order revisions; the final one will concentrate on proofreading and stylistic editing.

Grading standards: what makes an A, B, C?

Your white paper project will be graded on its:

• choice of topic and content (selection of info; supporting evidence)
• research: extent of library research; knowledge of Friedman book
• design (print and screen)
• writing (style, grammar, word choices, mechanical correctness)

An excellent (A) white paper project has the following characteristics:

• The topic is original and sharply focused; the writer should think about publishing his or her work.
• The research is impressive; I learned a lot from the white paper.
• If Friedman's book is relevant to the topic, it is used intelligently.
• The design is stunning ("wow!") as well as professional.
• The documents are consistent in quality
• Specific examples are thoughtfully chosen and used effectively.
• The writing is an asset-- the documents are fluent and appropriate in style; the word choice is interesting.
• The documents are free of mechanical errors and typos.

A good (B) white paper project has the following characteristics:

• The topic shows thought and intelligence.
• The research is careful. I didn't necessarily learn anything but I admire the writer's efforts.
• If the Friedman reading is relevant to the topic, it is used effectively.
• Design is professional and conforms to common-sense web design principles.
• One or two of the documents is weaker than the others.
• The writer has some good examples but should explain them in more depth and/or use more of them.
• The writing has a few stylistic or grammatical lapses, although nothing glaring. Typos shouldn't jump out on a quick scan.

An acceptable (C) white paper project has the following characteristics:

• The topic is appropriate but may be trite or unfocused.
• Research has gaps, but the writer has put effort into it.
• If Friedman's work is relevant, it is at least mentioned
• Design has some flaws.
• Some of the documents are ineffective due to lack of examples, weak interview technique, or a failed rhetorical strategy.
• Stylistic and grammatical errors have become distracting; typos seriously detract from the writer's credibility

A poor (D) white paper project has the following characteristics:

• Choice of topic is questionable.
• Research was clearly hasty and thoughtless
• Writer should really use the Friedman book-- has s/he read it?
• Writer has put little, if any, effort into design.
• the project is impossible to follow due to poor writing or usability issues.

An unacceptable (F) white paper project has one or more of the following characteristics:

• it is plagiarized
• one or more of the required documents or elements is missing. For example, the writer skipped the presentation or didn't do an interview.
• I know the writer hasn't even opened the Friedman

A general grading rubric for ENGL 420 is available here:
http://www.digitalparlor.org/pwenglish/files/rubric.pdf